Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1887-12-17

duties, and ut tho same time TO en-. pnaslze q
suggestion that in accomplishing this pur-
pose we may discharge adouble duty TO our
people by granting TO them a measure of re-
lief from tariff taxation IN quarters where IL
is most needed, and from sources where it
can be most fairly and justly accorded: nor
can the presentation made Of such consider
alton be with any degree OF fairness re-
carded as evidence of unfricndiiness toward
our manufacturing interests, or of any lack
OF appreciation OF their value and import
ance. These interests constitute a leading
and most substantial element of our national
greatness, and furnish the proud proof of
our country's progress, But if, in the
emergency that presses upon US, our manu-
facturers are asked to surrender
something for the public rood
and to avert disaster, their patriotism, as
well as q grateful recognition of the advan-
tages already afforded, should lead them to
wiling cooperation.
No demand is made tina. they shall forcro
all benefits of government regard, but they
cannot fail 10 be adInonished Of their duty.
as well as their enlightened self-interest and
safety, when they are reminded OF the fact
that the financial panic and the collapse to
which the present condition tends
AFFORD no GREATER SHELTER OR PRO
lection
to our manufactures than TO our other i'm
portant enterprises.
Opportunity for safe, careful and deliber-
ate reform IL now offered, and none of Us
should be unmindful Of "A time when an
abused and irritrted people, needless of
those who have resisted timely and reason
able relief, may insist N a radical aEd
sweeping rectlticatlon OF wrongs. The diff
ficulty attending Il wise and fair revision of
our tariff laws is not undereftinatod 1t
will require on tie part of congress
great labor ana care, ana especially Il broad
and national contemplation of the subject,
and a patriotic disregard of such local and
selfish claims as are unreasonable and reck-
less of the welfare Of the entire country.
Under our present laws more than four
thousand articles are subject To duty. Many
OF these do not in any way compete with our
manufacturers, and many are hardly worth
attention az subjects Of revenue. A consid-
cradle reduction can be made in the aggre-
gate by adding them to the free list. The
taxation OF luXurleS presents no features of
hardship, but the necessaries of life, used and
consumed by all the people, the duty upon
which adds 10 the cost of living III every
home, should be greatly ch~eapened. The
radical reduction of the duties imposed upon
raw material used in manufactures, or its
free importation, Ii of course an import
ant factor in my effort to re-
duce the price OF these necessaries. 1t
WoulN INV JILL ltlicNc " tilt III
creased costsca,sed by the tariff on such
material, but the manufactured product,
being thus cheapened, that part of the tariff
now laid upon such product, as a compen-
sation to our manufacturers for the present
price OF raw material, could
BE ACCORDINGLY MODIFIED.
Such reduction, or free Importation, would
serve beside to largely reduce the revenue.
1t is not apparent how such n change can
have any injurious effect upon our manu-
features. On the contrary, it would appear
TO give them a better chance in foreign
markets with the manufacturers of other
countries, who cheaper their wares by free
material. Thus our people might have the
opportunity OF extending their sales beyond
the limits Of home consumption, saving
them from the depression, interruption III
business, and loss caused by a glutted do
nestle market, and atfording their en-
ployes more certain and steady labor, with
its resulting quiet and contentment.
The question thus imperatively pre-
sented for solution should be
approached in an aspect higher than parti-
sanship, and considered in the light of that
regard for patriotic duty which should
characterize the action of those intrusted
with the veal of a confding people. But
the obligation to regard party policy and
principle is not wanting to urge prompt and
effective action. Both of the great
political parties now represented in the gov
eminent have, by repeated and authoritative
declarations, condemned the condition OF
our law which permit the collection from
the people of unnecessary revenue, and
have in the most solemn manner promised
their correction: and neither as citizens nor
partisans are our countrymen III a mood
to condone deliberate violation of these
pledges. and our progress toward q wise
conclusion will not be improved by dwelling
upon the theories Of
AND FREE TRADE.
This savors too much of bandying epithets.
1t is q condition which confronts us, not u
theory. Relief from this condition may
involve q slight reduction of the advantages
which we award our home productions.
But the entire withdrawal of such advan-
tages should not be contemplated. The
question of free trade is absolutely irrele-
want, and the persistent claim made in GER
tain quarters that all efforts to relieve the
people from unjust and unnecessary taxation
are schemes of so-called free traders, ia
miscellaneous and far removed from any
consideration for the public good.
we W the people is to reduce
taxation to the necessary expenses
of an economical administration of
the government and to restore to the bust
ness of the country the money which we
hold in the treasury through a perversion of
governmental powers. These things can
and should be done with safety to all our in
dustries, without danger TO the opportunity
for remunerative labor, which our working
men need, and with benefit to them and all
our people, by cheapening their means of
subsistence and increasing the measure of
their comforts.